Compound for lubricating wire rope



Patented Septtfi, 1938 PATENT OFFICE v 2,129,422 comonnn non wamcnmc' wmn norm;

James F. Hall, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The Ironsides Company, Columbus, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio No Drawing. Application December 17, 1936,

Serial No. 116,379

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved lubricant adapted for use as a coating material for wire ropes or cables and, more specifically, wire ropes or cables employed in connection with elevators.

In the manufacture of wire ropes or cables, it

is desirable to coat the. individual wires and strands thereof with a lubricant which will have the properties of minimizing the actual rubbing together of metallic surfaces, that is, the interengaging surfaces of the individual wires or strands of a composite braided cable, or the contacting of the outer surfaces of such a cable with other associated metallic surfaces, such as guide wheels, pulleys, or drums.

In accordance with the present invention, my improved, lubricant is preferably applied to the wire rope or cableduring the process of forming;

the latter but, likewise, is of such composition that it may be used with highly satisfactory refactured and actually engaged in use.

Inasmuch as wire ropes or cables are usually wound on spools or reels during shipmentv or storage, it is a further object of the invention to provide-an improved lubricant therefor which suits when applied to cables previously manuwhen applied to the ropes or cables will possess 'a sumciently high melting. point and other complemental properties of adhesion so that the lubricant will not melt or drip from the cables when subjectedto ordinary temperatures.

' Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a lubricant for use in the capacity set forth which when applied to metallic elevator cables imparts sufficient; adhesiveness thereto as to minimize any tendency on the part of the rope tions for producing the lubricant comprising the present invention, the following examples are given: Ewmple 1 Per cent Stearic acid soap '7 Rosin 4 Rubber cemen 3 Petroleum oil (160 aecQSaybolt at 210 10-.-. 8'!

The above ingredients may be used with or without the addition of any filler or oxidizing agents.

It will .be understood that it is within the scope of the present invention to vary somewhat the proportions of the several ingredients set forth.

The generalpractice for application of this lubricant to a wire rope during its manufacture isto have a small pot or kettle, equipped with a heating means, such as an electric element, steam or direct gas flame, mounted abovethe forming die for the rope or cable, the kettle allowing the melted lubricant to drip through a regulating valve on the individual wires or strands imme- 20 diately prior to the passage of the latter into the forming die or dies. I have found that the most effective temperature for heating the lubricant is one of the order of 240 F. The quick setting property of the lubricant results in a thorough 25 and immediate adhesion thereof to the wire strands of the cable.

What is claimed is:

, 1. As a new composition of matter, an amber colored lubricant for metallic cables permitting easy inspection of the same comprising a'quick setting adhesive mixture including petroleum'oil ofl'a viscosity of the order' of 160 seconds, Saybolt at 210 F.. in the proportion of at least 87% together with stearic acid soap, rosin and rubber cement in the respective ratio of 7:4:2, said composition being fluid at a temperature of the order of 240 F.

2. As a new composition of matter, an ambercolored lubricant for metallic cables permitting easy inspection of the same comprising a quick setting adhesive mixture includingpetroleum oil of a viscosity of the order of 160 seconds Saybolt JAMES I". mm 

